Standards for Communication

Intercollegiate Athletics Logo

Penn State’s national football championship in 1982 gave the University unprecedented press coverage and attention from national audiences. In response to the demand for Penn State clothing and other memorabilia featuring a sports emblem, the Intercollegiate Athletics logo (lion) was commissioned in 1983. When the University mark (shield) was adopted in 1987 as the overarching logo for the University, the decision was made to retain the Intercollegiate Athletics logo as the representative symbol for sports and athletics. It is important to note the Athletics logo is not interchangeable with the University mark and is not used to represent nonathletic programs.

The Intercollegiate Athletics logo is composed of the athletics symbol—a stylized rendition of the Nittany Lion head in an oval frame, and the athletics logotype, “PENN STATE.” There are two standard configurations of the Athletics logo. No other configurations of the logo are acceptable. All reproductions should be made from good, quality master artwork or files. The logo may be reduced or enlarged as needed but the elements may not be changed or rearranged.

A – Stacked version

B – Linear version

It is permissible to use either the Athletics symbol or logotype on their own. However, neither the symbol or the logotype may be altered in any way. They also may not be used in conjunction with other design elements to create new or different logos.

A – Do not reconfigure the Athletics logo in any way other than the approved two signature versions.

B – Do not place the Athletics symbol to the right of the Athletics logotype.

C – Do not arch the Athletics logotype.

D – Do not flop the Athletics symbol so that it faces left.

When the logo is reversed (when it is in a lighter color against a dark background), the reverse artwork must be used to achieve a correct reproduction. Reversing the regular artwork results in an incorrect version of the logo. An incorrect reverse is easy to spot—the cheeks of the lion are white. The reverse artwork produces an outline of the oval and the lion’s head and maintains a dark background within the oval. The reverse artwork also should be used for embosses of the logo. Note that the reverse artwork should never by used positively (printing dark against a light background).

Apply the outline artwork to achieve a correct reverse reproduction (left). The outline artwork itself should never be used positively (printing dark against a light background).

An incorrect reverse is easy to spot—the cheeks of the lion are white.

The standard color for the Athletics logo is dark navy (PMS 282). The entire Athletics logo should always print in a single color, typically blue, black, or gray.

A – Do not divide the Athletics logo by using one color for the Athletics symbol and another color for the logotype.

B – Do not divide “PENN” and “STATE” using color.

C – Do not reproduce the Athletics logo using stripes or patterns.

D – Do not use background colors with little contrast.

E – Do not use competitive or busy backgrounds that obscure the Athletics logo.

The Intercollegiate Athletics logo is a registered symbol of The Pennsylvania State University and its uses are strictly controlled by the University. Information about the Athletics logo also is available on the Licensing website.